Browns President Mike Holmgren said today that talks with running back Peyton Hillis are at a standstill right now. "Things are kind of quiet right now,'' he said. "Let's let the dust settle and see what happens.'' He said "no one has called off contract negotiations'' but that the Browns tried to extend Hillis' contract and it didn't happen. "Now he needs a great year to reach his goals,'' said Holmgren. He stressed that he wants to try to keep Hillis and told Hillis that on Wednesday. He characterized the negotiations as being in the "floating area.'' He emphasized that all of the drama surrounding Hillis this season, including the strep throat controversy, threw up "roadblocks'' that made negotiations more difficult. He also said "there was no way I was going to trade Peyton Hillis. Why would I trade one of our best players?'' Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
